Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to get my hands on this graphic novel about pre-civil war America! I didn’t understand it at first because I never heard of the boarding school before (obviously cause I’m a dumb European duh..) but as soon as I kept reading it wasn’t so bad! However I found adding the witch into this was quite bizarre and puzzling like are we reading a story involving fantasy or a real life scenario that actually happened from the past here? lol

As well the wee boy was cute in this like he seemed like a character who would put a smile on your face! I wish we could’ve seen more scenes of him and that he was the main character ;(

Anyways it’s a alright graphic novel, I just wish tho it evolved into something more...

A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel about a boarding school in Canterbury, Connecticut, 1832 that educated young, Black women from all over the Eastern United States. The White townsfolk in the area were vehemently against the school and sought to abolish it by any means necessary. It's a fantastic fictional historical recount of true people and events.

There are events and perspectives in American history that are ignored, and the Canterbury Female Boarding School in Connecticut is one of them. Prudence Crandall opened the doors of her school to Black women in 1832, and the “good people” of Canterbury became undone. This French import fictionalizes what happens in third person, although readers spend most of the time with Miss Crandall and her students as they experience the excitement of learning while undergoing horrendous persecution.

A young Black boy, Charles, is also a prominent character who seems to live in the forest and repeat Nat Turner’s words; this terrifies most of the people within the community regardless of race. Another character, a White woman who lives isolated in the woods and embraces the term witch, is also key in several scenes illustrating the incongruity of evaluating people by their physical appearances.

The art fluctuates between warm and cool colors, but rather than enhance the mood or indicate transitions it seems random at times. Perhaps most disturbing are the Black caricatures that appear in some background city panels and which is certainly embraced within the character of Charles. This may be a deliberate action on behalf of the artist, as Charles represents Nat Turner and shares words of concern regarding Black people turning into the system designed by White people instead of embracing themselves, but it is a question that remains.

White All Around certainly asks readers to question American history as it stands the racist structure upon which it stands. It is thought-provoking and includes a detailed and informative afterword by the curator of the Prudence Crandall Museum regarding pertinent historical details. This is a worthwhile read, but I would recommend it for adults because of its potentially problematic stereotyping unless it is a piece that young adults discuss in a classroom environment.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"White All Around" follows the story of Prudence and her school Prudence Crandall School. Before reading this, I have never heard of the story of Prudence and her school but this was such a well written graphic novel. The story was so captivating that I could not put the book down until I made it to the last page. There were subplots but the main focus is on the Black students, who have to fight against the prejudiced racist population, who also happens to be sexist. The book is about teaching, who wants to learn regardless of their background and skin colour. It is perfect for both young audience and adult readers as it focusses on education and the racism these Black students and Prudence faced.

These stories madden me due to seeing how cruel people can be if the authorities allow and push them to be but I loved reading and learning about a more positive story. Even though these people faced so much negativity and violence, they never sat down and said no. They sought education and wanted to learn to be a part of this world, they were forced into. I definitely recommend this to all readers to read and learn from the past. Even if there is only one person left to fight, it is enough to fight back against injustice.

The artwork in this was absolutely beautiful. The author did a wonderful job of fitting a lot of information into a short and concise graphic novel. I do wish the characters had been given a little more depth, but I also realize you can only fit so much into something this length. Nevertheless, it got me interested and I would love a novel-length version! The story was lovely and heartbreaking and a good snapshot of pre-Civil War America. I appreciated the info given at the beginning about Nat Turner and the information at the end about what happened to some of the characters after the school closed.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This comic book does a splendid job of relating the events leading to the abolishment of the first school for girls of color.

I am so glad to have read it.

It was just what I was looking for this month. Something real, captivating, and informative… It is basically about the mistress of a female boarding school in Canterbury, Connecticut, 1832 deciding to take in colored girls as students. I especially love the last pages which the readers can find the summary of the character’s biographies. And the way of how the words came together with the gorgeous art style left me no choice other than to read it in one sitting. Highly recommended.

I love seeing small stories that fit into History but we don't know much about. This part of historical was so impactful for a large community and allowed so much change to be born from it.
It was great to learn more about this part of history, but I also got attached to this group of young girls wanting to learn and simply live.
I hope stories like this will continue to be brought to page and screen and minds.

I do however think it important to note that this graphic novel was written and illustrated by two white Frenchmen.
As much as I appreciate anyone writing on topics that need more visibility, I do also believe it's important to make sure that white people, who already own most of the industry, do let black artists express themselves and tell their own history, without being impacted by the casual everyday racism that does affect publishing.

Interesting idea for a graphic novel. Definitely not something that I had given much thought to. Inspiring story of a school that wanted to help young African American ladies.

It was an interesting read with beautiful illustrations. I wish I could give a bigger insight on this, but I can only say that the story, albeit half truths around, was sad and interesting, it gave a bittersweet feel,

something didn't sit right with me with this book, whether it be the messy plot or characters, however the art was stunning and it would be an incredible read for those interested in this part of history

Wonderfully illustrated retelling of historical events, depicting the story of a boarding school accepting Black girls in the 1830s and the brutal actions of the white residents from the town nearby.

Great additional information in the afterword on the stories of the women being fictionalized in the book.

This wasn't for me – an oh-so worthy look at America's first female school pupils of colour, it comes with a visual style that was far too easy to really dislike, and a visual palette that kind of makes no sense when colour is the key issue. One and a half stars – people with an interest in that era of history may like it much more. But I wouldn't guarantee it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say after reading this beautiful book is that it hurts, it really hurts to read about such an injustice, unhuman behavior and the ugliness of racism.

I can't say that I liked the story because it's not about this when it comes to such books, no. This book is a reminder for those who forgot what was it like to live in such a world where you see awful things done to people and you can't do nothing and when you try to make a change like Prudence Crandall, you might end up being marginalized, attacked or hurt.

Anyway, the illustrations were beautiful to look at and it made the story less dramatic to read. A different and interesting way to portray such difficult themes with colors and art.

I have to say that I didn't like the title, I think that wasn't the best choice for the content of this book.

A harrowing and deeply affecting recounting of a series of events and issues revolving around the Prudence Crandall School’s announcement to accept “black students” thirty years before the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Told through pointed dialogue and lavish illustrations, White All Around explores a nexus of historic racial injustices and prejudices, as well as tensions between genders, classes, ages, and teacher/student relationships.

i must say i really enjoyed the art in this book. but the book seemed a little bit messy at times. for me it was hard to follow the story. but thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

The title is a bit misleading unless it is meant to showcase that there were white people all around the school. This is the story of a school whose founder, opened her doors to women of color. The heroics of the students and principal helped to segregate US schools almost a century later.

Some of the boarders lives are showcased within the novel by way of biographies. I had never heard this story during history courses. I am grateful for the author and publisher. The barbarity of the citizens of Canterbury during that time, seems to visit us now in 2021, such a shame that some still feel threatened by people of color wanting to educate themselves and have equal rights.

I received a free E-ARC of this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CW: racism, gun violence, discrimination, violence

The book is based on a true story of a school set up In Canterbury in 1832 for African American girls three decades before abolition. However it does contain a few fictional elements. I liked the story though it meandered at some points and at times had a few too many main characters.

The art in this book is beautiful. The colors are gorgeous and it has some lovely full page showcases. This novel is carried by its art and though I received an e arc I think it would truly shine in print.

This is a fictionalized, very fictionalized version of a school for black women in Connecticut before the American Civil War. While the main story line, about how the locals did not like the school is true, the other bits, with a witch of the woods, and the strange boy that quoted a book about Nate Tucker, is out of the imagination of this French writer.

While the illustrations are nice, and the story, goes off the rails at a certain point, it is probably worth the read to just see how poorly the young women were treated.

But, after reading it, I didn't feel as though I got to the heart of the historical story. And, because the teacher was a Quaker, it was never made clear why she would be going to the local church, and having an issue about not being let in.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

4.5

1832 in Canterbury, African Americans are FREE but have no civil rights. A small female boarding school was preparing to welcome its first black students.
Twenty colored girls can board at Miss Crandall's school. A law designed to shut her school down, she went to jail for a few days when she refused to pay. She tried hard for their school to become legal.
The parents are scared to send their kids to school but try changing their children's destiny. Sarah seeks the why and the how, and Eliza is the first student who arrived. In the meanwhile, slowly the school filled and people in town get more and more furious.
I liked the colors and pictures. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking, and sort of funny story about how people can become blind and unkind to each other. Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, I have given an honest review of White All Around by Script by Wilfrid Lupano & art by Stéphane Fert.